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Home › Baby Names Directory › Kanon

Kanon

♀ Girl

Pronounced KAH-non /ˈkɑː.nɒn/Medium

Meaning: Kanon is a Japanese unisex name (readings vary, sometimes linked to 'flower' and 'sound' or to Kannon, the bodhisattva of mercy); in the West it also evokes the musical 'canon.' Used here for a girl though it is unisex.Low

In 30 seconds: A soft, musical name: Kanon is Japanese and unisex, and also echoes the musical 'canon' (said 'KAH-non'). Cross-sex, which we note.
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Origin LowJapanese, English
MeaningKanon is a Japanese unisex name (readings vary, sometimes linked to 'flower' and 'sound' or to Kannon, the bodhisattva of mercy); in the West it also evokes the musical 'canon.' Used here for a girl though it is unisex.
U.S. rank (2024)#12730 ↗ Rising
2024 U.S. births7 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2008
Total births (all-time)≈ 158

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 200819992024

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Kanon is a Japanese unisex name whose readings vary, sometimes touching 'flower' and 'sound' or the compassionate Kannon; in the West it also suggests the musical 'canon.' Used here for a girl though it is unisex, which we note (said 'KAH-non').

For girls it appears only rarely in the U.S. Rare, unisex, and lyrical.

Did you know? Kanon rings like a musical 'canon' to Western ears, but it is also a Japanese unisex name tied to sound and mercy — a gentle, cross-sex pick, which we note (said 'KAH-non').
Overall data confidence 34%
References — Kanon — Japanese unisex; musical 'canon'; cross-sex

Variations

KannonCanonKanan

Nicknames

KayNonnie

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Kanon…

Sakura— a like Japanese pick
Aria— a like musical name
Cadence— a like music-themed choice
Keaton— another unisex pick
Ashton— shares the -on ending

Explore names like Kanon

By themeunisexcross-sexjapanesemusical

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Kanon mean?

Kanon is a Japanese unisex name (readings vary) and in the West also evokes the musical 'canon.'

How do you pronounce Kanon?

It's said KAH-non /ˈkɑː.nɒn/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Kanon a boy or girl name?

Kanon is unisex; it is used for both girls and boys, which we note.

How popular is Kanon?

Kanon is a very rare name for girls in the U.S.

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